The Detroit Red Wings should move on from Luke Glendening

The Detroit Red Wings should be searching for a trade partner for Luke Glendening.  Glendening has become expendable for the Wings.

Luke Glendening is a beneficial fourth line center.  Glendening is fantastic in the faceoff circle.  Last season Glendening was the only Detroit Red Wings center above 50% in the dot.  Glendening was 58% successful taking draws last season.

The high water point total in Glendening’s career was 2015/16 where he recorded a career-high 21 points.  That also happens to be the last season Glendening was a plus player.  Glendening recorded 11 goals last season which was the second highest total thus far in his career.

The fourth line center would be a lot more valuable playing his 14:00 or so minutes a night on a playoff team who is looking for a faceoff, special teamer.  Glendening is a quality penalty killer.  Glendening’s salary is 1.8 million per season with three seasons remaining including this year.

The salary is a team friendly deal.  It is a tradeable salary.  I hate to say it, but Glendening is a Mike Babcock type of fourth line center.  The Leafs inquired about Luke Glendening last season, but the two franchise were not able to hammer out a deal.

I believe Glendening could fetch a late-round draft choice in return for his services.  The Detroit Red Wings would be opening up a roster spot, and also allowing another young forward to have a regular opportunity in the show.

If Glendening happened to get moved the Detroit Red Wings could go in a couple of different directions.  Darren Helm can play down the middle.  Helm has a bit more offensive ability than Glendening.  Helm is a better skater and is nearly as reliable in his own zone.  The only drop off is the faceoff percentage, but Helm has hovered around 50% in the past.

If the Wings looked to Helm down the middle, they would be able to insert Evgeny Svechnikov on the wing to replace Helm.  The fourth line could look like this; Svechnikov, Helm, Abdelkader.  Svechnikov has been rolling early this preseason, scoring two game-winning goals through the first three games.

Another option the Detroit Red Wings have is elevating Dominic Turgeon from the Grand Rapids Griffins.  Turgeon has limited offensive abilities but a similar skill set to Glendening. Dom can play an NHL fourth line center and be a much cheaper option for the Wings. Turgeon’s cap hit is only 686K.

Moving Luke Glendening allows the Detroit Red Wings to field Michael Rasmussen, Filip Zadina, Evgeny Svechnikov all in the line-up as regulars this season.  Also, Martin Frk and Dominic Turgeon are valid options.  It is something to at least think about and consider.